Pac-12 rebuild year?

[ttowncoug]

It's still unclear to me when and how long we have to rebuild the conference w/ up to 8 members.

is that before the 2026 season?

if so, i can see us "renting" the MWC for 2 seasons and announcing expansion plans. The 4 teams and markets that seem obvious in the MWC are Boise, UNLV, Fresno, and SDSU. Then maybe you go east w/ CSU, Tulane, Memphis, maybe north grab Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, and another team.

I also wouldn't plan on ASU, Utah, etc., leaving to join the pac-12. Wishful thinking.

Our best shot at a "call up" is FSU and Clemson bailing from the ACC and we get invited to backfill. ACC's conference head is on record of saying regional conference are gone, we've gone national. Stan/Cal are stuck in the ACC through 2036 and would welcome some west coast competition. Maybe bringing some of the band back together in an ACC west could be an option in a few years.

 

[Coug90]

It's still unclear to me when and how long we have to rebuild the conference w/ up to 8 members.

is that before the 2026 season?

if so, i can see us "renting" the MWC for 2 seasons and announcing expansion plans. The 4 teams and markets that seem obvious in the MWC are Boise, UNLV, Fresno, and SDSU. Then maybe you go east w/ CSU, Tulane, Memphis, maybe north grab Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, and another team.

I also wouldn't plan on ASU, Utah, etc., leaving to join the pac-12. Wishful thinking.

Our best shot at a "call up" is FSU and Clemson bailing from the ACC and we get invited to backfill. ACC's conference head is on record of saying regional conference are gone, we've gone national. Stan/Cal are stuck in the ACC through 2036 and would welcome some west coast competition. Maybe bringing some of the band back together in an ACC west could be an option in a few years.

My understanding is we have until ‘26. There’s a good article over on brand z? about one option of doing nothing until ‘26. It’s interesting. Basically you play OSU (twice?) and fill the schedule w OOC games. They even looked at who had open dates and filled in a bunch. Also there’s been hints from MWC that we could schedule a bunch of those games as OOC and they would accommodate that if there was an agreement in place by ‘26. If you can keep the war chest and schedule the OOC games it’s a good idea IMO. You’ve got two strong programs who have a chance at the playoffs or at the least good bowl games for the next two years (assuming one runs the table). Give the MWC some solid exposure should there be a reverse merger in ‘26. Leave the window open if another conference implodes by then for other teams to join the conference in ‘26.

There’s two caveats. One: don’t think this works without the war chest cuz you basically don’t have any TV deal in place for now. Two, don’t think there can be a CCG with only two conference members so may further reduce chance for playoffs.

 

[CougInSpain]

My understanding is we have until ‘26. There’s a good article over on brand z? about one option of doing nothing until ‘26. It’s interesting. Basically you play OSU (twice?) and fill the schedule w OOC games. They even looked at who had open dates and filled in a bunch. Also there’s been hints from MWC that we could schedule a bunch of those games as OOC and they would accommodate that if there was an agreement in place by ‘26. If you can keep the war chest and schedule the OOC games it’s a good idea IMO. You’ve got two strong programs who have a chance at the playoffs or at the least good bowl games for the next two years (assuming one runs the table). Give the MWC some solid exposure should there be a reverse merger in ‘26. Leave the window open if another conference implodes by then for other teams to join the conference in ‘26.

There’s two caveats. One: don’t think this works without the war chest cuz you basically don’t have any TV deal in place for now. Two, don’t think there can be a CCG with only two conference members so may further reduce chance for playoffs.

I think its highly likely that we could sell tv rights on a game by game basis based on our viewership numbers. We ranked very high with the amount of games where we had 1 million+ viewers a game. Bring in a media rights contract specialist and have them negotiate the terms. Re-brand ourselves just "The Pac" for now with idea of renaming the conference when we do expand. We control our own destiny with the added bonus of the AQ for the playoffs.

 

[ttowncoug]

I think its highly likely that we could sell tv rights on a game by game basis based on our viewership numbers. We ranked very high with the amount of games where we had 1 million+ viewers a game. Bring in a media rights contract specialist and have them negotiate the terms. Re-brand ourselves just "The Pac" for now with idea of renaming the conference when we do expand. We control our own destiny with the added bonus of the AQ for the playoffs.

The 1M+ viewership is/was on major networks...ESPN, Fox.

I tend to think ESPN is a better partner.

Big TV ratings numbers over the weekend will underscore the popularity of the sport and the value of live entertainment in today's era of streaming and on-demand.

 

[CougPatrol]

The "do nothing and stall" talk is fun internet board conversation, but we're talking about Washington State and Oregon State, two of the most remote outposts in P5 athletics. I've mentioned before that I'm an East Coast guy from an East Coast family, and believe me when I say that nobody cares about P12 / West Coast college football. USC, maybe. UCLA, yea, because of their basketball reputation. Oregon tries to generate excitement with marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that 2/3 of the most diehard college football fans can't find the State of Oregon on a map.

I can see WSU and OSU hunkering down and "doing nothing" if their lawyers lay out a clear financial and conference affiliation path 1-2 years from now, but the risk/reward for our program in a game of corporate chicken parallels skydiving without a parachute.

Message board fans are proposing that we enter into a scheduling agreement with some MWC schools for the next year or two and wait it out. That means our 2024 schedule looks like Portland State, SDSU, San Jose State, Oregon State (these 4 are already scheduled), and 8 additional games with MWC and FCS programs. Some of you dummies want to do away with Apple Cup, so flush that game too.

If you think joining the MWC with a decent shot at an NCAA playoff bid for the league champion is program suicide, try going Independent with a "wait it out" schedule and no TV contract. LOL, we'll literally lose 80% of our student athletes across all sports.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

The "do nothing and stall" talk is fun internet board conversation, but we're talking about Washington State and Oregon State, two of the most remote outposts in P5 athletics. I've mentioned before that I'm an East Coast guy from an East Coast family, and believe me when I say that nobody cares about P12 / West Coast college football. USC, maybe. UCLA, yea, because of their basketball reputation. Oregon tries to generate excitement with marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that 2/3 of the most diehard college football fans can't find the State of Oregon on a map.

I can see WSU and OSU hunkering down and "doing nothing" if their lawyers lay out a clear financial and conference affiliation path 1-2 years from now, but the risk/reward for our program in a game of corporate chicken parallels skydiving without a parachute.

Message board fans are proposing that we enter into a scheduling agreement with some MWC schools for the next year or two and wait it out. That means our 2024 schedule looks like Portland State, SDSU, San Jose State, Oregon State (these 4 are already scheduled), and 8 additional games with MWC and FCS programs. Some of you dummies want to do away with Apple Cup, so flush that game too.

If you think joining the MWC with a decent shot at an NCAA playoff bid for the league champion is program suicide, try going Independent with a "wait it out" schedule and no TV contract. LOL, we'll literally lose 80% of our student athletes across all sports.

You're going to lose 80% of the student athletes anyway.

 

[ttowncoug]

The "do nothing and stall" talk is fun internet board conversation, but we're talking about Washington State and Oregon State, two of the most remote outposts in P5 athletics. I've mentioned before that I'm an East Coast guy from an East Coast family, and believe me when I say that nobody cares about P12 / West Coast college football. USC, maybe. UCLA, yea, because of their basketball reputation. Oregon tries to generate excitement with marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that 2/3 of the most diehard college football fans can't find the State of Oregon on a map.

I can see WSU and OSU hunkering down and "doing nothing" if their lawyers lay out a clear financial and conference affiliation path 1-2 years from now, but the risk/reward for our program in a game of corporate chicken parallels skydiving without a parachute.

Message board fans are proposing that we enter into a scheduling agreement with some MWC schools for the next year or two and wait it out. That means our 2024 schedule looks like Portland State, SDSU, San Jose State, Oregon State (these 4 are already scheduled), and 8 additional games with MWC and FCS programs. Some of you dummies want to do away with Apple Cup, so flush that game too.

If you think joining the MWC with a decent shot at an NCAA playoff bid for the league champion is program suicide, try going Independent with a "wait it out" schedule and no TV contract. LOL, we'll literally lose 80% of our student athletes across all sports.

We want to have our cake and eat it too.

How many AAC schools plus MWC schools plus WSU and OSU would it take to create a decent P5 conference w/ the Pac-12 brand? And do you have time?

 

[dgibbons]

The "do nothing and stall" talk is fun internet board conversation, but we're talking about Washington State and Oregon State, two of the most remote outposts in P5 athletics. I've mentioned before that I'm an East Coast guy from an East Coast family, and believe me when I say that nobody cares about P12 / West Coast college football. USC, maybe. UCLA, yea, because of their basketball reputation. Oregon tries to generate excitement with marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that 2/3 of the most diehard college football fans can't find the State of Oregon on a map.

I can see WSU and OSU hunkering down and "doing nothing" if their lawyers lay out a clear financial and conference affiliation path 1-2 years from now, but the risk/reward for our program in a game of corporate chicken parallels skydiving without a parachute.

Message board fans are proposing that we enter into a scheduling agreement with some MWC schools for the next year or two and wait it out. That means our 2024 schedule looks like Portland State, SDSU, San Jose State, Oregon State (these 4 are already scheduled), and 8 additional games with MWC and FCS programs. Some of you dummies want to do away with Apple Cup, so flush that game too.

If you think joining the MWC with a decent shot at an NCAA playoff bid for the league champion is program suicide, try going Independent with a "wait it out" schedule and no TV contract. LOL, we'll literally lose 80% of our student athletes across all sports.

If there is some kind of payout to the last school(s) standing in the Pac, WSU needs the money. On top of that, there are considerations for moving into a new conference- like the impact of two schools joining and how that will affect distributions of an existing TV deal, and if that conference is currently negotiating a new deal that will how new members will impact the future agreement. That's why the scheduling alliance is a topic of conversation.

On the AC, this dummy says offer to play in Pullman every year. If uw says no, uw will have passed on two opportunities to keep the AC going. First by joining the B1G, and second by declining to play it in Pullman. We don't need to offer uw more opportunities to keep the AC going.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

Guess I'm a dummy. UW killed the rivalry by moving conferences. Why would WSU sell out and play in Seattle every year? For just a little more money? The damage will be done.

If UW wants to play, as dgibbons said, they can play in Pullman every year. Or they can pay WSU $10m each year for the game.

 

[ttowncoug]

Guess I'm a dummy. UW killed the rivalry by moving conferences. Why would WSU sell out and play in Seattle every year? For just a little more money? The damage will be done.

If UW wants to play, as dgibbons said, they can play in Pullman every year. Or they can pay WSU $10m each year for the game.

if the game is played, it will be a home and home series. I would not support an annual Seattle game.

 

[CougPatrol]

Personally, i don't care if the apple cup gets cancelled; but I think that given our precarious financial situation, we need to consider the massive financial upside to keeping the game alive for at least a couple of seasons.

 

[ttowncoug]

Personally, i don't care if the apple cup gets cancelled; but I think that given our precarious financial situation, we need to consider the massive financial upside to keeping the game alive for at least a couple of seasons.

The national TV ratings on the game are always good, so my assumption is the game will be played (or at least considered).

 

[CougSinceBirth]

if the game is played, it will be a home and home series. I would not support an annual Seattle game.

Agreed, an annual Seattle-only game would be stupid. UW will never agree to a H&H series, so they can either pay up for f*** off.

 

[ttowncoug]

Agreed, an annual Seattle-only game would be stupid. UW will never agree to a H&H series, so they can either pay up for f*** off.

UW's President said on Softy (KJR FM) that she would play in Pullman (home and home).

The game will live on...

 

[CougSinceBirth]

"I understand tradition. I understand loyalty. But I also understand the need for change."

What happens when WSU uses that quote to say no more to an Apple Cup?

 

[dgibbons]

View embedded media

"I understand tradition. I understand loyalty. But I also understand the need for change."

What happens when WSU uses that quote to say no more to an Apple Cup?

We did not leave the Pac-12 that people are grieving. We left the Pac-12 that was, at best, on life support. And it was fairly toxic, because there was no trust. There was constant gossip & leaks. That last year was really tough on everybody”

Gee, I wonder which school(s) were responsible for that?

 

[cr8zyncalif]

View embedded media

"I understand tradition. I understand loyalty. But I also understand the need for change."

What happens when WSU uses that quote to say no more to an Apple Cup?

We did not leave the Pac-12 that people are grieving. We left the Pac-12 that was, at best, on life support. And it was fairly toxic, because there was no trust. There was constant gossip & leaks. That last year was really tough on everybody”

So UW follows their leader, Oregon, who was reported to be a leak source?

 

[Coug90]

Personally, i don't care if the apple cup gets cancelled; but I think that given our precarious financial situation, we need to consider the massive financial upside to keeping the game alive for at least a couple of seasons.

How bout shut it down for a couple years while we soak up the war chest and sort out the details of the new Pac then start up again and introduce a new trophy in honor of the Huskies. The “money grubbers cup”, “The golden toilet”, I dunno I don’t have much but feel like we need to bring the cup to Pullman permanently and introduce a tradition that reminds everyone for eternity that they are whores.

 

[Cougini5591]

The "do nothing and stall" talk is fun internet board conversation, but we're talking about Washington State and Oregon State, two of the most remote outposts in P5 athletics. I've mentioned before that I'm an East Coast guy from an East Coast family, and believe me when I say that nobody cares about P12 / West Coast college football. USC, maybe. UCLA, yea, because of their basketball reputation. Oregon tries to generate excitement with marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that 2/3 of the most diehard college football fans can't find the State of Oregon on a map.

I can see WSU and OSU hunkering down and "doing nothing" if their lawyers lay out a clear financial and conference affiliation path 1-2 years from now, but the risk/reward for our program in a game of corporate chicken parallels skydiving without a parachute.

Message board fans are proposing that we enter into a scheduling agreement with some MWC schools for the next year or two and wait it out. That means our 2024 schedule looks like Portland State, SDSU, San Jose State, Oregon State (these 4 are already scheduled), and 8 additional games with MWC and FCS programs. Some of you dummies want to do away with Apple Cup, so flush that game too.

If you think joining the MWC with a decent shot at an NCAA playoff bid for the league champion is program suicide, try going Independent with a "wait it out" schedule and no TV contract. LOL, we'll literally lose 80% of our student athletes across all sports.

Patrol... I like you. I like your posts... most of the time.

But you're going to earn the "dumbass of the year" award if you think there is ANY reason to keep the Apple Cup going.

F*ck fuw to eternity.

I'd rather fly back to Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Auburn, etc... once a year vs. having to see the fuskies again.

 

[PlutoDroid]

If there is some kind of payout to the last school(s) standing in the Pac, WSU needs the money. On top of that, there are considerations for moving into a new conference- like the impact of two schools joining and how that will affect distributions of an existing TV deal, and if that conference is currently negotiating a new deal that will how new members will impact the future agreement. That's why the scheduling alliance is a topic of conversation.

On the AC, this dummy says offer to play in Pullman every year. If uw says no, uw will have passed on two opportunities to keep the AC going. First by joining the B1G, and second by declining to play it in Pullman. We don't need to offer uw more opportunities to keep the AC going.

Sadly you'd be playing into their hands with that stance. Washington isn't going to give up an away game every year, nor are they going to pay to play WSU. They can say that they wanted to keep the rivalry going, but Washington State was being highly irrational. They obviously value money over tradition, and I guess in a way I would to. I would have pushed for a little less money, and a little more tradition. But PAC leadership couldn't run a lemonade stand.

Washington now has the revenue stream coming in. They've publicly said they want to keep the AC going, but they aren't going to give anything to do it. They'll likely offer a home and home, or a two for one deal. Depending on where WSU lands. If it's the Big 12, then I see a home and home. If it's a Mountain West, it may be a two for one.

Oklahoma State is taking the Hardline stance of not playing Oklahoma. Texas A&M and Texas did the same when A&M bolted. I imagine North Carolina State might do the same if North Carolina goes to the SEC, or B1G. Clemson still plays South Carolina, Georgia plays Georgia Tech, Florida plays FSU, and Iowa plays ISU every year. Those are all home and homes. The only P5 vs G5 game that happens home and home is Colorado vs CSU.

Oregon and Oregon State have the same question facing them. Arizona and ASU went together, as did Cal and Stanford. Might have been interesting to see how those schools dealt with it had they not.

 

[roses04]

A simple solution: Win the Apple Cup this year, and call it off after that, we have the Apple Cup Trophy forever.
Needless to say, that won't be easy. The problem is if WSU becomes a G5 school the odds will be stacked against us even more than they are now. Look what happened to BSU this weekend, they are supposed to win the Mountain West. Find some other team to play for the money, the Apple Cup will lose its luster if it becomes more lopsided than it has been.

 

[CougPatrol]

I'd rather fly back to Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Auburn, etc... once a year vs. having to see the fuskies again.

I'd prefer that too, but when are we getting those teams on the schedule? 2035?

I understand the emotion surrounding the FUW talk, but business is business. Apple Cup is a game that we have to play over the next few seasons. We need it way more than UW does.

 

[longtimecoug]

I'd prefer that too, but when are we getting those teams on the schedule? 2035?

I understand the emotion surrounding the FUW talk, but business is business. Apple Cup is a game that we have to play over the next few seasons. We need it way more than UW does.

We can live without it

 

[CougSinceBirth]

We can live without it

The casual viewer who would likely want to keep the AC will be disappointed, but the true die-hards that are adamantly against keeping it, would likely be more pissed off. You can't piss off a donor base any further, especially right now.

(And no, Die-Hard Cougs do not count as "true die-hards".)

 

[roses04]

The casual viewer who would likely want to keep the AC will be disappointed, but the true die-hards that are adamantly against keeping it, would likely be more pissed off. You can't piss off a donor base any further, especially right now.

(And no, Die-Hard Cougs do not count as "true die-hards".)

I'll donate an extra $1000 a year if we don't play the Apple Cup after this year. They screwed us, Their President comes out and says they had no choice because of the rumors and backstabbing, well they were the biggest abuser of both. As soon as UCLA and USC announced they were leaving, UW and Oregon started working on getting into the Big 10 and have ever since. USC and UCLA had a gentleman's agreement with the Big 10 that no other West Coast Schools could join the Big 10 with them, so they needed another reason to add UW and Oregon. According to my sources there was a constant dialog between the UW and Big 10 ever since the So Cal schools announced they were leaving. The UW has been trying to find a way in for over 2 years. Then the Pac 12 announces the Apple deal is, which opened the door, and Fox get spooked, steps in made it happen overnight. Things like this do not happen overnight unless there was already a game plan in place, and Fox was prepared to move once the Apple Deal was announced, and UW and Oregon knew they were part of the plan.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

I'll donate an extra $1000 a year if we don't play the Apple Cup after this year. They screwed us, Their President comes out and says they had no choice because of the rumors and backstabbing, well they were the biggest abuser of both. As soon as UCLA and USC announced they were leaving, UW and Oregon started working on getting into the Big 10 and have ever since. USC and UCLA had a gentleman's agreement with the Big 10 that no other West Coast Schools could join the Big 10 with them, so they needed another reason to add UW and Oregon. According to my sources there was a constant dialog between the UW and Big 10 ever since the So Cal schools announced they were leaving. The UW has been trying to find a way in for over 2 years. Then the Pac 12 announces the Apple deal is, which opened the door, and Fox get spooked, steps in made it happen overnight. Things like this do not happen overnight unless there was already a game plan in place, and Fox was prepared to move once the Apple Deal was announced, and UW and Oregon knew they were part of the plan.

I re-read the way I laid my comment out, but you hit the exact point I was trying to make. I think telling UW to pound sand will go a lot further with fans than keeping the AC will.

 

[cr8zyncalif]

It is not hard to imagine a time in the near future when our season ending rivalry game will be with OSU. Their feelings about the uncivil war seem to be similar to our feelings about the crapple cup.

 

[ttowncoug]

I don't want to play UW any longer either....but i fear the economics of the game, the added TV revenue, will be "too good to pass up." If we can replace that same revenue w/ any other team, instead of UW, I'm in.

Treating this as an "in conference game" and the pressure for UW to play in the same conference as us, are likely leverage points we need to keep in our back pocket. Again, if we can "fill the revenue gap" w/o UW, f'em.

 

[KRUSTYtheCOUG]

It is not hard to imagine a time in the near future when our season ending rivalry game will be with OSU. Their feelings about the uncivil war seem to be similar to our feelings about the crapple cup.

I can see that some would think is a natural thing to do...but I don't want to have to "hate" osu. I'd rather keep our present relationship and have someone else as a bitter rival. That's all I have to say about that.

 

[Cougini5591]

I'll donate an extra $1000 a year if we don't play the Apple Cup after this year. They screwed us, Their President comes out and says they had no choice because of the rumors and backstabbing, well they were the biggest abuser of both. As soon as UCLA and USC announced they were leaving, UW and Oregon started working on getting into the Big 10 and have ever since. USC and UCLA had a gentleman's agreement with the Big 10 that no other West Coast Schools could join the Big 10 with them, so they needed another reason to add UW and Oregon. According to my sources there was a constant dialog between the UW and Big 10 ever since the So Cal schools announced they were leaving. The UW has been trying to find a way in for over 2 years. Then the Pac 12 announces the Apple deal is, which opened the door, and Fox get spooked, steps in made it happen overnight. Things like this do not happen overnight unless there was already a game plan in place, and Fox was prepared to move once the Apple Deal was announced, and UW and Oregon knew they were part of the plan.

This is in no way me trying to brag, but I increased both my money to the collective and Athletics when the Pac fell apart.

And I'm siding with you with a minor variation...

We can sign a 2 for 1 agreement with previous Pac-12 schools. Twice at our place and once at theirs.

If our Pres and A.D. had even an ounce of Cougar manhood they would do this and advertise it on National Media just to spite the conference ditching $@^* smokers

 

[longtimecoug]

I can see that some would think is a natural thing to do...but I don't want to have to "hate" osu. I'd rather keep our present relationship and have someone else as a bitter rival. That's all I have to say about that.

We dont actually have to hate them to be rivals

 

[cr8zyncalif]

We did not leave the Pac-12 that people are grieving. We left the Pac-12 that was, at best, on life support. And it was fairly toxic, because there was no trust. There was constant gossip & leaks. That last year was really tough on everybody”

Gee, I wonder which school(s) were responsible for that?

We dont actually have to hate them to be rivals

True, but it makes it more interesting.

 

[dgibbons]

Sadly you'd be playing into their hands with that stance. Washington isn't going to give up an away game every year, nor are they going to pay to play WSU. They can say that they wanted to keep the rivalry going, but Washington State was being highly irrational. They obviously value money over tradition, and I guess in a way I would to. I would have pushed for a little less money, and a little more tradition. But PAC leadership couldn't run a lemonade stand.

Washington now has the revenue stream coming in. They've publicly said they want to keep the AC going, but they aren't going to give anything to do it. They'll likely offer a home and home, or a two for one deal. Depending on where WSU lands. If it's the Big 12, then I see a home and home. If it's a Mountain West, it may be a two for one.

Oklahoma State is taking the Hardline stance of not playing Oklahoma. Texas A&M and Texas did the same when A&M bolted. I imagine North Carolina State might do the same if North Carolina goes to the SEC, or B1G. Clemson still plays South Carolina, Georgia plays Georgia Tech, Florida plays FSU, and Iowa plays ISU every year. Those are all home and homes. The only P5 vs G5 game that happens home and home is Colorado vs CSU.

Oregon and Oregon State have the same question facing them. Arizona and ASU went together, as did Cal and Stanford. Might have been interesting to see how those schools dealt with it had they not.

Why would offering to play in Pullman every year play into uw's hands? uw is free to say no. Then, as stated, uw will have passed on two opportunities to keep the AC going. Truth is the AC is not anything approaching a priority for uw. That's fine.

 

[Coug90]

Why would offering to play in Pullman every year play into uw's hands? uw is free to say no. Then, as stated, uw will have passed on two opportunities to keep the AC going. Truth is the AC is not anything approaching a priority for uw. That's fine.

Asking UW to play every game in pulllman is the equivalent of the Pac-12 and George telling ESPN they wanted $50 mil per

 

[longtimecoug]

Asking UW to play every game in pulllman is the equivalent of the Pac-12 and George telling ESPN they wanted $50 mil per

Its just as valid as them wanting it in seattle every year

 

[12375CAT]

It's still unclear to me when and how long we have to rebuild the conference w/ up to 8 members.

is that before the 2026 season?

if so, i can see us "renting" the MWC for 2 seasons and announcing expansion plans. The 4 teams and markets that seem obvious in the MWC are Boise, UNLV, Fresno, and SDSU. Then maybe you go east w/ CSU, Tulane, Memphis, maybe north grab Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, and another team.

I also wouldn't plan on ASU, Utah, etc., leaving to join the pac-12. Wishful thinking.

Our best shot at a "call up" is FSU and Clemson bailing from the ACC and we get invited to backfill. ACC's conference head is on record of saying regional conference are gone, we've gone national. Stan/Cal are stuck in the ACC through 2036 and would welcome some west coast competition. Maybe bringing some of the band back together in an ACC west could be an option in a few years.

B12 needs to invite Big Cats & Beavers instead @ whatever Fox & ESPN will offer. The Tree & the Golden Bear are dwelling on borrowed time until the GOR expires.

 

[KRUSTYtheCOUG]

We dont actually have to hate them to be rivals

True. But it certainly helps. A LOT. taihtsat

 

[PlutoDroid]

Why would offering to play in Pullman every year play into uw's hands? uw is free to say no. Then, as stated, uw will have passed on two opportunities to keep the AC going. Truth is the AC is not anything approaching a priority for uw. That's fine.

If the goal is to put the blame entirely on Washington for ending the AC is the goal, then you can't give out conditions that no A.D would would agree to isn't going to work.

Washington doesn't care about the rivalry obviously. They view Washington State as nothing more than a smaller institution, with less history, academic and athletic prestige. It's the same as Oklahoma with Oklahoma State, Iowa with Iowa State, or Oregon with Oregon State. They are gonna be in a much better position going forward. To them, it's like charity giving Washington State the chance to play them. Who is gonna be the most prestigious opponent for WSU going forward? Washington gets Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, USC, Oregon.

I don't think it's any priority privately to pay WSU. But publicly they want to put on a good face, saying they wanna keep the game going for the state of Washington, but WSU is being irrational in trying to get the game in Pullman every year. Iowa State doesn't demand the game in Ames every year. So they just can't accept the irrational terms WSU is proposing. They tried extending the series, but WSU ended it by being irrational. Too bad, so sad.

Husky fans who want to keep the game will nod, agreeing that is wasn't their school that ended it.

It's all a P.R move. The SEC and B1G don't wanna look like the bad guys in destroying conferences. Their hands were tied. It's all PR BS.